As with invasive procedures such as central venous catheterization, an important closing step of the discharge process is confirmation.
Death after discharge from the Emergency Department (ED) is an uncommon but nonetheless highly concerning event. Discharge from the ED, on the other-hand, is a frequent event, with over 80% of ED visits culminating in discharge to home or non-acute care. (1) That number may be increasing with more pressure to find alternatives to inpatient admissions. (1,2) Discharge from the ED is a vulnerable time for patients, and it is a high-stakes time for both patients and providers.
